Brothers Carl and Shyheim Little returned to Wagga District Court for trial on Tuesday, when their co-accused Wayne Mark Murdoch gave evidence against them after pleading guilty to his own part in the incident. 

All three were arrested and charged after the January 5, 2017 incident at the Mill Street home, with Murdoch eventually pleading guilty to aggravated intimidation. 

However, the Littles maintained their innocence, and each pleaded not guilty to aggravated intimidation, with Carl Little also pleading not guilty to discharging a rifle with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

When he took the witness stand on Tuesday, the now imprisoned Murdoch said he led the Little brothers to the Mill Street house in search of someone who they said had “ripped off” Shyheim.

“One of the blokes sitting inside the house got up to leave, so Shyheim punched him in the face and he fell into the TV cabinet,” Murdoch said.

“Once he was punched, it all happened so fast.” 

Murdoch claimed it was only moments later that the home’s owner, Gabriel George, was shot in the leg by Carl Little.

“I heard Gabe come running out of the shower, he took off down the hallway, he took off out his front door, I turned around, and I heard a shot go off,” he said.

“I just saw a silhouette of a man standing in the hallway and a silhouette of a gun … it was dark, but it looked like [Carl] to me.” 

Mr George sustained a bullet wound to the leg, which could not be removed by doctors during a later surgery. 

In his opening statement, Crown prosecutor Max Pincott said Mr George was also due to give evidence in the trial later this week.

“He said [Carl] had the gun drawn – he can’t really describe it, but he said it was shortened and he had two hands on it,” Mr Pincott said.

“He then describes feeling what was like a cricket ball hitting him in the leg, and he says that it felt like a big impact.” 

Also due to appear is a witness who says he saw Shyheim punch the other man inside the house and Carl Little fire the gun at Mr George.

“He will tell you that he saw Carl Little lift the gun and shoot it, and he will also describe the firearm like a cut-down rifle,” he said. 

The trial continues. 

MORE NEWS FROM THE COURTS: